The car that came to pick up Jun Jiuli and the others made Zhao Chenguang so nervous he could barely sit still.
"Yangyang, this is real, right?"
"It's real, we're all going home!"
Zhao Chenguang's tears suddenly streamed down his face. "It's real, this is too good!"
Zhao Zhili and his sister were overjoyed beyond measure.
The young cadre, seeing their reaction, was happy for them too and stood outside, giving the family some space.
Xu Han: "Congratulations."
Zhao Chenguang grasped his hand tightly. "Dawn has arrived, I believe it will be soon for you too. Keep going."
"Mm, I'll take your good wishes."
The village chief greeted the young cadre outside and, with a slightly stooped back, walked into the dilapidated little thatched hut.
He directly thrust a wad of money into Jun Jiuli's hand. He knew clearly that the things he had pocketed all came from Jun Jiuli's maternal family.
"I did some wrong things a couple of years ago, and later, when they realized, they stopped sending news. You must accept this money. I hope you can be magnanimous and overlook my past mistakes. Please."
He bowed deeply, trembling all over, his eyes welling up with tears, fixed stubbornly on Jun Jiuli.
Jun Jiuli counted the money in her hands and nodded. "We'll take what's ours, and we naturally won't dwell on it."
The village chief visibly relaxed. "Thank you! I wish you a smooth journey." He then left.
The family happily packed their belongings. The items in the house were too worn out, so they didn't plan to take them.
Aside from the clothes they were wearing, they only took the remaining grain. The family happily embarked on their journey back to the city.
Jun Jiuli gave each of them 50 yuan. "This is the compensation they gave. Keep it for yourselves."
Zhao Zhili took it and said, "Okay, thank you, Mom."
Zhao Xin Nuan had never seen so much money before and was hesitant to reach out for it.
"Mom, can you hold onto it for me? I'm afraid I'll lose it."
"Okay, if you need it, just ask me."
"Mm-hmm."
Zhao Chenguang's position had not yet been finalized, as there were too many people vying for it.
A City was full of talented people, and he had been away for so many years, unfamiliar with the environment. Others had plenty of reasons to prevent him from taking the position.
Therefore, the family did not return to City A but went directly to their old home in Beijing. Father and Mother Zhao had been eagerly awaiting their reunion for a long time.
Zhao Wen Cong's family arrived earlier. The whole family came to the train station to pick them up.
"Oh, my grandson. You've grown so big. Grandma has missed you so much. You've suffered so much in the countryside these past few years."
Zhao Chenguang lowered his head guiltily, muttering a few words that didn't come out. He then looked silently at his younger brother.
Both had suffered hardships, yet his brother still stood tall like a pine, radiating sunshine and confidence.
As for himself, he had been crushed by the life of the past few years. He felt ashamed and lowered his head even further.
Shui Wa secretly nodded. It seemed the host's passive-aggressive psychological manipulation was very successful. Zhao Chenguang had lost all trace of his former self.
Zhao Wen Cong was genuinely happy for his brother's family. He patted Zhao Chenguang's shoulder and then gave him a big hug.
"Brother, welcome home! We brothers must have a good catch-up tonight."
"Okay, okay."
Zhao Chenguang just nodded blankly. Zhao Wen Cong also felt his brother's distance but didn't take it to heart.
Jun Jiuli noticed a pair of eyes fixed on her as soon as she got off the car. She turned to meet the gaze and offered a faint smile.
Ye Zhaoqiu felt a little happy seeing her. In front of the original host, who was excellent in every way, she had always felt inferior.
Now that Jun Jiuli's beauty had faded due to hardship and exposure to the elements, she felt that she wasn't too far behind.
"Sister-in-law, long time no see."
"Mm-hmm, thank you for making the trip."
"It's my duty, my duty."
The four children also gathered to chat. Zhao Xin Nuan kept his head down and didn't say much.
Zhao Zhili kept an eye on his grandparents, occasionally interjecting a few words.
Zhao Xiaoyu and the others couldn't find much to talk about. The atmosphere within the various small "factions" of the Zhao family was very peculiar.
After dinner, they gathered to talk for a while. When it was time, they each retired to their rooms to rest.
Zhao Chenguang: "Yangyang, things are better now, but what should I do next? I feel so lost."
"We'll listen to the organization's arrangements."
"But I've been away from my post for so many years. I'm afraid I won't do well, I'm afraid I'll mess up the work..."
"It's okay, take it slow. There's always a learning process, and everything will be fine."
Zhao Chenguang raised his hands and examined them carefully. They were covered in calluses and cracks.
"After holding a hoe and a carrying pole for nine years, I think I've forgotten what these hands were originally for.
Besides farming, what else am I good at? I'm sorry! I've made you suffer with me all these years."
Jun Jiuli pretended to be impatient and irascible. "Can you stop talking? I'm tired of hearing that.
I don't want to recall that painful memory at all, and I don't want the children to keep it in their hearts.
This will only make us suffer more. If we keep dwelling on the past, we need to move forward. Chenguang, look ahead, and everything will get better."
"I'm sorry, it's my fault. I shouldn't have brought up those sad things. You should sleep now, I won't disturb you."
"Mm, you shouldn't overthink things either."
Zhao Chenguang lay on his side, his eyes vacant, tears falling silently. He looked like an abandoned stray dog.
Everyone was moving forward and forgetting the past. Only he was trapped in the suffering of bygone days, struggling desperately.
Zhao Wen Cong and his wife sat in silence. Ye Zhaoqiu tried her best but couldn't make Zhao Wen Cong soften even a little.
Ye Zhaoqiu would never let go, so divorce was absolutely out of the question. Even with substantial compensation, she would still be gossiped about.
After all, he had endured hardships with her for so many years, and now that he had turned his fortunes around, he was eager to cast her aside. How ugly that would sound.
Zhao Wen Cong could only remain cold towards her. The financial control wouldn't fall into her hands, and the children wouldn't be close to her. He was waiting for her to leave on her own.
The next day, to show her virtue, Ye Zhaoqiu woke up early to cook. She kept peeking outside Jun Jiuli's room from time to time.
Seeing her like this, Zhao Wen Cong sneered. "Don't be so clever. Your little tricks like this are easily seen through by sister-in-law, and my parents won't pay any attention to it."
"Hmph, do you have some improper feelings for your sister-in-law? Why are you protecting her so much?"
Zhao Wen Cong glared at her in exasperation and shouted, "Shut your stinky mouth. Don't let me hear such words again."